Foreword:
I don’t actually establish as a gravel rider. I undoubtedly journey gravel roads, however I don’t race or take the class very critically. I want driving gravel roads over paved roads as a result of motorists are the worst, however mountain bike trails are my true calling. To me, gravel is the gateway to journey, and a great gravel product wants to have the ability to deal with just about something I throw at it. Learn on to see if Cane Creek’s gravel fork can deal with my driving fashion.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Earlier than I received my fingers on this alternative piece of package, I had a beautiful chat with Will Hart from Cane Creek to speak about the Invert. We actually received into it, masking the model’s intent, the constraints, what to anticipate, and the way finest to benefit from the suspension gravel fork. After the chat, I used to be genuinely excited to place the Invert to the take a look at, and I began planning my technique on how you can finest put this fork by way of the wringer.
My plan was to first take a look at the fork on my devoted drop-bar rig, a Nukeproof Digger, as this bike suits the fork’s intention. Then, to make issues much more attention-grabbing, I needed to provide it a whirl on my flat-bar do-everything rig, the Hudski Doggler. The Doggler is a bit exterior the meant gravel class, however as a contemporary hybrid, it’s a nice take a look at mattress for outlier conditions the place the Invert may very well be utilised.
Overview
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
What’s it:
Merely put, the Invert is a suspension fork. However somewhat than making a smaller mountain bike fork, Cane Creek got down to design a fork explicitly made for gravel, delivering a easy and managed journey whereas complementing teh dropbar silhouette with a light-weight and visually hanging design.
Inverted forks (additionally known as upside-down forks) have been used on and off within the mountain bike world. Cane Creek says it opted for this design because it allowed for the lightest weight and most visually built-in design potential. The inverted design additional reduces unsprung weight—the mass of components just like the wheel and decrease fork that transfer with the terrain—making the suspension extra responsive and bettering traction. It is also mentioned to maintain seals higher lubricated and cleaner, whereas the bridge-free design permits for higher tyre clearance.
The Cane Creek Invert SL particulars:
- 30mm of journey
- Airsping Suspension
- Air strain adjustable with shock pump
- Carbon fibre and aluminium development
- Weight: 990g
- $1099,99
“Till this level, no fork made for drop bars, inflexible or in any other case can supply this a lot rider profit in a single, clear bundle. That is what it means to actually be a Gravel Fork.,” Cane Creek claims.
Let’s dive in.
Unboxing and setup
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
With the Invert, Cane Creek got down to create the best-looking gravel-specific suspension fork—and that intention is obvious the second you open the field. This can be a actually lovely piece of package. I’ll admit, I’ve received a comfortable spot for Cane Creek. The EEWings are a few of my favorite cranks, the DBIL and Kitsuma shocks have discovered their approach onto a number of of my bikes, and I usually put their Helm Mkii fork by way of its paces. In brief, I do know the model nicely and got here into this assessment with excessive expectations for his or her tackle a gravel fork.
The Invert is obtainable in two barely totally different choices. The SL, which weighs 990g, affords 30mm journey and measures 425mm axlet-to-crown. And the CS (Climb Change), which weighs 1113, affords 40mm journey and measures 435mm ATC. Cane Creek set me up with the SL model, because the shorter journey labored higher for my geometry.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The SL has a carbon fibre crown and tapered steerer tube, that are bonded to aluminium uppers to attain a stability of weight financial savings and stiffness. Cane Creek has designed a crown race (36º) instantly into the uppers and gives a wonderfully matched IS52 bearing to assist ensure you’re dialled. You may as well match the fork with ZS56 or EC44 headset, however you’ll must verify the angle of the bearing race. When you’re not capable of verify your headset angle, you’ll wish to snag a decrease headset from Cane Creek earlier than you begin assembling. The field features a slick Ancora enlargement plug and it is too unhealthy one won’t ever see the sensible gold anodising as soon as put in. The steerer is sort of lengthy, with loads of room to accommodate a variety of head tube sizes.
In contrast to different mountain bike by-product forks, the Invert doesn’t embrace a damper—its suspension is dealt with fully by the air spring. That sort of blew my thoughts. I’m used to continuously fidgeting with knobs, all the time second-guessing whether or not my settings are dialled in. With the Invert, there’s none of that.
Cane Creek really ran a blind side-by-side take a look at, letting riders attempt the air spring model back-to-back with one which had a damper. The end result? Most couldn’t really feel sufficient of a distinction to justify the added weight, complexity, and upkeep {that a} damper brings.
After all, the air spring nonetheless wants common servicing, nevertheless it’s far less complicated than bleeding dampers and changing a bunch of seals.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The fork has a stealthy flat mount that works with 160mm rotors, or 180 with a +20mm flat mount adaptor. Cane Creek contains {hardware} that matches completely for 160mm, however you would possibly want extra {hardware} with the +20mm adaptor. There’s additionally a cap that covers the bolts, holding them secure from grime and deris, which is a pleasant contact,
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
One space the place I struggled when it got here to the Fox 32 and Rockshox Rudy suspension gravel fork was the dearth of compatibility with 650b tyre choices (-they are each marketed as 700c solely). The problem is that 650b tyres have a tendency to sit down proper on the top of the fork bridge, which is the narrowest level.
With the Invert, you’ve the identical clearance the entire approach up the fork. I examined the fork with 650×2” Maxxis Refuse and Ultradynamico MARS 650×2.2”, and each left loads of clearance for mud.
Whereas the Invert is designed round a 12×100 via axle, I had no points utilizing my 15×100 hubs with a sleeve. There may be loads of room across the axle for the bigger flanges.
Advantages
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Listed below are the advantages of the Cane Creek Invert suspension gravel fork:
Consolation: This factor provides some critical forgiveness to your common driving. It erases all of the chatter and leaves you with much less arm fatigue. Plus, it accomplishes this with out compromising your hand and physique positioning.
Confidence: Within the second whenever you’re too late in recognizing an impediment, and manoeuvring away is not potential, your solely hope is to seize on tight and hope for the most effective. That is when the Invert has your again. It is going to prevent from that shock, and, hopefully, supply some cushion on your tools as nicely.
Appears: The Invert is an actual head-turner. It has visible energy, and the end is stellar.
Simply adjustable: I love the air spring’s tunability. You may regulate it based mostly on the rider’s weight and the circumstances and terrain you’re driving by merely including or eradicating some PSIs.
Climb Change: Whereas I’m on the SL model, the Climb Change function on the CS model permits one to lock out the fork to make it inflexible. This appears like the right possibility for folk who prefer to get out of the saddle to climb or dash. The change is near the bars and simple to have interaction.
Limitation
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Whereas the Invert affords some attractive advantages, there are some limitations:
Cable/Hose Routing: The Inverted structure has some inherent limitations, with cable routing being my greatest gripe. Cane Creek has included some intelligent mounting bits, however extra refinement is required.
The present resolution consists of a detachable brake hose sleeve that holds the hose in place contained in the fork’s hose information by friction solely. However as you make use of the complete 30mm of journey, the brake hose additionally strikes that very same distance. Over time, that hose sleeve tends to work its approach free. As soon as it really works its approach all the best way out, your hose would possibly begin rubbing in your tyre. Rubbing alone would not be so unhealthy, however worst case situation, it may get hung up on some aspect knobs, which may end in a torn hose or a crash. Each are lower than supreme eventualities on gravel rides deep in the midst of nowhere. When this occurred to me, I used to be capable of treatment the scenario with some zip ties.
Fortuitously, Cane Creek is conscious of this concern and so they’re engaged on a repair, stating:
We have undoubtedly seen this earlier than on a number of events, however proper now it does not appear to be taking place with sufficient frequency to be an enormous concern. Our professional take a look at riders have logged lots of of hours and have not reported this, however I’ve personally seen it a few times. It appears to have one thing to do with brake hose size and the relative taughtness/orientation of the cable. Maybe you simply received unfortunate with the best way the brake hose lays within the information in your explicit bike. I am glad you discovered a strategy to treatment it for your self, however we actually don’t need riders to should take these additional steps and our purpose is completely that this rubber insert piece ought to have the ability to operate 100% by itself.
Anyhow, we’re all the time taking suggestions and incorporating updates into our merchandise. We’ll preserve a detailed eye on this and if a lot of riders preserve reporting the identical factor, we’ll transfer on it shortly! I admire your suggestions.
– Will Hart from Cane Creek
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Cable noise: Cane Creek has included some tasteful touches to battle cable rubbing points. There’s a built-in rubber pad the place the hose meets the left fork blade. It will assist preserve the noise down and forestall any rubbing. When issues get actually tough, you’ll nonetheless hear the hose smacking in opposition to the entrance of the fork leg. I believe you possibly can get this all the way down to a minimal in case you observe the place the hose is hitting most often and tape on some foam across the hose at that spot.
Lack of fenders: One other oversight I’d like to say is the dearth of fender choices. I dwell within the Pacific Northwest, the place fenders are an important little bit of package. They often come out in October and keep on till Might. When you’re a fairweather rider, this received’t be a problem, however I really like driving in all circumstances, so it is a little bit of a dealbreaker for me, particularly when the Fox32TC and Rockshox Rudy forks supply mounts for full fenders.
Geometry & Match:
The ATC measurements on the present crop of suspension gravel forks are all above 420mm, which alters your bike’s geometry.
Cane Creek Invert: 30mm = 425mm / 40mm = 435mm
Fox 32 TC: 40mm = 435.5 / 50mm = 445.5mm
Rockshox Rudy: 30mm = 425mm / 40mm = 435mm
MRP Baxter: 40mm = 430mm / 60mm = 456mm
Many gravel bikes are nonetheless designed with inflexible fork lengths below 400mm (for instance, my Nukeproof is designed round a 395mm fork with 48mm offset). Including the Invert fork makes the distinction within the geometry tangible. One may regulate for this by altering the stem and saddle place, however discovering the candy spot takes some taking part in round.
Within the mountain bike world, a 10-20mm ATC change warrants an entire new class of motorcycle. The gravel class might want to begin determining how you can design frames across the longer ATC required for suspension forks. The added size up entrance impacts steering significantly, and the modifications to the underside bracket top and place are additionally noticeable in energy output and journey really feel.
Whereas it won’t have an effect on your match, it’s good to know up entrance that it might change the best way your bike rides (good or unhealthy!)
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Aggressive driving: Whereas the dearth of damper helps preserve the burden down, it comes at a price. When you’ve ever ridden your mountain bike with the rebound totally open and loved the sensation of speedy return, you would possibly love this sense. However in case you’re used to a extra composed rebound tune and tamer return, this would possibly take some getting used to. When you’re an aggressive rider who likes to pop off each bump, it would take some getting used to. It’s harking back to a high-volume tyre with out that scary sidewall folding feeling.
Once I arrange the airspring based mostly on the information, it felt a bit too straightforward to backside out. The setup chart requires 176 psi for my 185 lb weight, however I ended up selecting 201 psi to maintain it from bottoming out too simply.
Using the Invert
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
Regardless of its limitations, the Invert does an incredible job of constructing gravel driving noticeably extra snug. It additionally makes driving on metropolis streets, easy pathways and cement trails extra satisfying. However push it past that, and also you’ll shortly discover its limits—which is anticipated given the 30mm of journey and lack of damping.
The Cane Creek Invert as a gravel fork
Cane Creek was proper in calling this a purebred gravel fork. It shines when placing in lengthy miles over blended surfaces. It actually works, and I’m just a little bummed I didn’t get to check out the climb change, as I wager that actually elevates the expertise when getting out of the saddle. Nonetheless, I by no means felt like I used to be losing vitality to the fork’s actions.
The fork actually comes into its personal when carrying a great tempo over flats, and when descending. It erases a lot of the arduous impacts you get when an unsuspected bump sneaks up on you.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
As a all terrain fork
When you’re seeking to push this a lot additional previous champagne gravel roads, you might run into some limitations. When you’re a rider who likes to push your bike into compressions and pop off path obstacles, you’ll must get used to the distinctive sensation of the undamped air spring. The easiest way I can describe it’s like including a second, low-pressure tyre to your setup—however with out the squirmy sidewall fold you usually get when working decrease pressures. This design permits you to run your precise tyres at barely greater pressures, which improves rolling velocity and eliminates that awkward compressing-sidewall feeling. The result’s a entrance finish that tracks with shocking confidence, all issues thought-about.
My greatest gripe is with how the rebound feels with out dampening. It’s quick and that pogostick really feel makes issues a bit sketchy whenever you’re navigating rougher terrain or pushing the bike over moist rocks or roots. This winter and spring has been actual moist within the Pacific Northwest, which has led to all types of unfavourable circumstances and nice alternatives to push the fork out of its consolation zone.
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
To actually put the fork by way of its paces, I mounted it on my Hudski Doggler and squeezed in a pair of Ultradynamico Mars 27×2.25 Robustos. Their tread strikes a pleasant stability between gravel and XC, supplying you with the arrogance to get into every kind of shenanigans. The marginally rounder profile additionally helps with clearance in tighter spots.
With high-volume tyres and extra aggressive driving in thoughts, dialling in air strain turned essential. I settled on 23 PSI within the tyres and 195 PSI within the fork. It nonetheless bottomed out greater than I’d like, nevertheless it felt supportive and predictable sufficient to dwell with.
I wasn’t thrilled with how the fork dealt with huge compressions or jumps with steep lips—the quick rebound turned extra noticeable, particularly on the longer Doggler chassis. Nonetheless, I had a blast testing its limits on a flat-bar hybrid, even when I wouldn’t suggest this setup for on a regular basis use.
To Cane Creek’s credit score, Will warned me this wasn’t the meant use case. Which, actually, simply strengthens their declare that that is the primary true gravel fork.
Verdict
(Picture credit score: Charlie Kohlmeier)
The place this fork shines
Highway miles: Erases all of the occasional bumps.
Gravel: Excessive-frequency chatter isn’t any match for the 30mm of journey.
Commuting: It makes little street imperfections disappear.
Clean grime: Sufficient suspension to push more durable.
The place this fork lacks
Rougher Singletrack: Undamped rebound is usually a bit unpredictable.
Moist Circumstances: Lack of fender mounts means you’ll be coming dwelling with a face stuffed with street spray and dirt.
Aggressive Using: An attention-grabbing combine between the thwack of backside out and unpredictability of rebound
Who is that this bike for?
I believe the best candidate for the Cane Creek Invert is somebody who spends nearly all of their miles on gravel roads and is searching for a strategy to enhance consolation and confidence to assist them go additional and journey longer.
When you’re searching for a fork that might flip your gravel bike right into a mini mountain bike, you might wish to persist with different choices (ie, the Fox 32 TC or Rockshox Rudy) that use a extra conventional structure with each air spring and dampening.
Verdict:
The Cane Creek Invert is an easy, albeit extravagant, improve to your gravel bike that can increase consolation and confidence in your gravel rides. The title of gravel fork is well-earned, however issues can get unpredictable when the fork is pushed exterior the realm of the present gravel pattern. In typical Cane Creek trend, the design and end on the fork are lovely.
Worth
The Invert is available in at a whopping $1,199.99 retail. In case your purpose is to open up extra terrain potentialities, you may be higher off getting an affordable hardtail. In case your purpose is to get a handsome piece of package that can make your gravel rides extra satisfying, then this may be the ticket.
Nonetheless, at this worth and the fork’s simplicity, I wish to see greater than a two-year guarantee.
To sweeten the deal, although, Cane Creek is at the moment providing a $250 credit score in case you ship in your present fork in alternate for the Invert.
